After spending nearly six weeks docked as a floating hotel for federal workers at Staten Island, N.Y., the T.S. Kennedy is back at its usual spot alongside the campus of Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

The ship returned Sunday, MMA president Adm. Richard Gurnon said by phone today.

In an email to faculty and students today, Gurnon wrote that the ship left New York Saturday morning, but not before Capt. Thomas Bushy and his crew were awarded the Merchant Marine Medal for their “stalwart, steadfast service to the people of New York, hit so hard by this terrible storm.”

The Kennedy was pressed into duty in early November, just days after Hurricane Sandy devastated the coastline of New York City and New Jersey.

“When the call came for support in early November, the offices and crew all volunteered for the task not knowing how long they might be away,” Gurnon wrote. “They missed many weekends and evenings with loved ones and even gave up Thanksgiving celebration to the FEMA workers who were there on Staten Island trying to put life back together for the victims.”

The Kennedy will remain in port until the sea term for cadets begins early next month, Gurnon said. The 61 cadets who moved into local hotels when the ship was called into duty will remain there through the end of exams this week, Gurnon said. Once exams are over, they'll check out and go home for Christmas break before returning to the ship Jan. 5, he said.